CHINESE CIVILIZATION : CULTURAL NORMS AND

STEREOTYPES
Cultural dimensions
Differentiates four cultural dimensions:
1. Power distance: This dimension expresses how a society handles
inequalities among people, and the uneven distribution of power in the
society or organization. People in societies exhibiting a large degree of
power distance accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a
place and which needs no further justification. In societies with low
power distance, people strive to equalize the distribution of power and
demand justification for inequalities of power.

2. Individualism versus Collectivism: this dimension describe the

degree of integration of individual in group. The high side of this
dimension, called individualism, can be defined as a preference for a
loosely-knit social framework in which individuals are expected to take
care of only themselves and their immediate families. Its opposite,
collectivism, represents a preference for a tightly-knit framework in

society in which individuals can expect their relatives or members of a

particular in-group to look after them in exchange for unquestioning
loyalty. A society's position on this dimension is reflected in whether
peoples self-image is defined in terms of I or we.

3. Uncertainly

avoidance:

The

uncertainty

avoidance

dimension

expresses the degree to which the members of a society feel

uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. The fundamental issue
here is how a society deals with the fact that the future can never be
known: should we try to control the future or just let it happen?
Countries exhibiting strong UAI maintain rigid codes of belief and
behavior and are intolerant of unorthodox behavior and ideas. Weak
UAI societies maintain a more relaxed attitude in which practice counts
more than principles.
The less two cultures overlap in the dimensions listed, the stronger is the
experience of strangeness. If slightly pronounced, curiosity and reconciliation
behavior can result. If strongly pronounced, fear, insecurity, rejection or
escape behavior can arise.

Edward T. Hall, a respected anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher,

identified two classic dimensions of culture in his books The Silent Language
and The Hidden Dimension:

1. High-Context Versus Low-Context Cultures:

A High-context culture is one in which communicators assume a great deal of
commonality of knowledge and views, so that less is spelled out explicitly, and
much more communication involves implying a message through that which is
not spoken; messages include other communication cues such as body
language, eye movement, para-verbal cues, and the use of silence These
transactions feature pre-programmed information that is in the receiver and in
the setting, with only minimal information in the transmitted message.

A low context culture is one in which things are fully, concisely spelled out.
Things are made explicit, and there is considerable dependence on what is
actually said or written. Low-context communication occurs predominantly
through explicit statements in text and speech the mass of the information
is vested in the explicit code. As such, most of the information must be in the
transmitted message in order to make up for what is missing in the context.
Cultures.

2. Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures:

Polychronic cultures like to do multiple things at the same time. Though they
can be easily distracted they also tend to manage interruptions well with a
willingness to change plans often and easily. People are their main concern
(particularly those closely related to them or their function) and they have a
tendency to build lifetime relationships. Issues such as promptness are firmly
based on the relationship rather than the task and objectives are more like
desirable outcomes than must do's.
Monochronic cultures like to do just one thing at a time. They value a certain

orderliness and sense of there being an appropriate time and place for
everything. They do not value interruptions. They like to concentrate on the
job at hand and take time commitments very seriously.
In addition monochronic people tend to show a great deal of respect for
private property and are reluctant to be either a lender or a borrower. This is
part of a general tendency to follow rules of privacy and consideration as well
as adhere religiously to plans.
Societal, Institutional, and Value Differences between Chinese
and Americans
As expectations regarding good manners differ from person to person and
vary according to each situation, no treatise on the rules of etiquette or any
list of faux pas can ever be completed. As the perception of behaviors and
actions vary, intercultural competence is essential.
Mianzi and Guanxi
The concept of "face," i.e., mianzi, is a very difficult one to explain in a few
sentences. It is also impossible to discuss "face" without introducing the
related

concept

of

guanxi,

i.e.,

"relationship"

or

social

networking.

Nevertheless, these two concepts, and how they are expressed in day-to-day
life in China, are absolutely essential for foreigners to understand, prior to

their arrival, if they are to avoid numerous misunderstandings and angry

blowups.

Greetings and Meetings etiquette :

In China, the most appropriate and common business greeting is a firm hand
shake with the words Ni Hao. Nihao, colloquially translates to hello, which is
used between people who met for the first time or are not aquatinted with
each other.

For male to male greeting, you can emphasis that you really value the person
you are greeting by a double-hand shake, where you place your left hand
over their right hand. This is not advisable for greeting females, as it can be
misinterpreted for being over hearing or forceful.

Daily
Greetings
1.

Hi.

Nho.
2. xixie. Thank you.
Dubq. I am
3. sorry.
4.zijin. Goodbye!

Bkqi. Youre welcome

Migunxi . Thats all right;
never mind

Names, Titles and business card

Names have two parts, and family name, or surname is placed first
with the given name coming last. Note that married women always
retain their maiden name. The three most common surnames in Mainland
China are Li, Wang and Zhang, which make up 7.9%, 7.4% and 7.1%
respectively. Together they number close to 300 million and are easily the
most common surnames in the world.

Chinese are often addressed by their family names followed by Mr., Mrs., Miss,
or government or professional titles until specifically invited by your Chinese
host or colleagues to use their given names. For example, address Li Pang
using his title: Mayor Li or Director Li.

Business cards have a far more important social meaning in China than they
do in the United States and anyone of significance is expected to not only
have them but to carry them on their person for introductions and greetings.
In China, it is considered polite to both receive and offer business cards with
both hands (gently grasp each end of the card laterally between your thumbs
and index fingers and extend both arms), especially when receiving them from
and offering them to anyone who is of a higher social rank. When receiving a
business card, take a few moments to examine it before putting it in your
pocketthis denotes both interest and respect. This practice of using both
hands to receive or pass anything is quite common, and you will notice that
waitresses, for example, will often receive your money and provide your
change with both hands.

Ganbei and Dining Etiquette

Eating is a huge part of Chinese culture. We eat to celebrate, to honor a guest,

to socialize, and to strengthen bonds. It is very important to do it in a right
way. Good manner indicates proper operating and invites good luck. Poor

etiquette is bad luck and embarrassing for you and people who should have
taught you better, i.e. your parents. The following are some of the dinning
etiquette in China.

Seating is very important. Age and rank are highly respected. The guest of
honor is always placed at the head of the room, facing the door.Do not start to
eat or drink prior to the host or to the guest of honor.

The first toast normally occurs during or after the first course, not before. After
the next course, the guest should reciprocate.It is not necessary to always
drain your glass after a Ganbei (bottoms up), although a host should
encourage it.

All the meals are served in family style and various dishes will be brought to
the table and placed on a lazy susan. The lazy susan will be rotated in order to
position the latest dish in front of the guest of honor, so it is customary to wait
your turn until he or she has first sampled the dish. The first time around, only
take a minimal amount of food from each serving plate. After everyone has
had the opportunity to sample all the dishes, it is perfectly alright for you to

take a second or even third helping, just as long as you are not the one to
finish off the dish. In addition, it is best to leave a little bit of food remaining in
your plate, as to "clean your plate" in China means that you are still hungry
and that you have not been served enough food. Also it is bad manners for a
Chinese host not to keep refilling guests' plates or teacups.

Tapping your chopsticks on the table is considered very rude. Gesturing with
chopsticks or using them to skewer food is seen as rude as well. Never place
your chopsticks straight up in your bowl of rice or other food, as this is
reminiscent of the joss sticks that are used to honors the dead ancestors, and
doing so is considered quite insulting (it suggests you are wishing death upon
the host or other guests).

Bill: The host (the one who invites) pays the bill for everyone. However, in
many cases, you will see Chinese people are fighting over paying over the bill
by their table or by the cashier to show their generosity and hospitality. In
China, it is not customary at all to go Dutch, and the one who makes the
invitation is responsible for paying the entire check. In turn, you should extend
an invitation at a later date, during which time you will pay the bill. Try to

make certain that the dinner you buy is not significantly less or more in cost
than the one you were invited to, and, related, it is considered a significant
faux pas to place the Chinese in a position of obligation in which they might be
unable or unwilling to return the favor at a later time (and rarely will they
allow this to happen). When taking a break during the meal, be certain to lay
your chopsticks down flat on top of your plate or rest the tapered ends on top
of the small caddy positioned just to the right of your plate, if one has been
provided.

Tips: In most restaurants in Chinese countries, there is no tip required unless it

is explicitly posted. Sometimes, tipping may even be considered insulting,
however the practice is becoming more common. In United Stated, in Chinese
restaurants though, tips are usually expected. If you are not certain, ask the
waitress or watch the other customers.

In China, it is not considered impolite to pick your teeth at the table with a
toothpick after finishing a meal just as long as you cover your mouth with the
other hand (there will always be an ample supply of toothpicks at the table). If
you need to blow your nose, you should turn your head away from the table,

or, better yet, just step a few feet away from the table before doing so.

Numbers and colors

Certain customs regarding good and bad luck are important to many Chinese
people, as well as many other Asian people. Although modern and welleducated Chinese reject superstition on an intellectual level, on a purely
emotional basis, China is still very much a country that subscribes to the
importance of luck and

fate. These customs may be regarded as

superstitions by many, but they are often tied to religious traditions.

Numbers: Eight is believed as one of the luckiest numbers in Chinese culture.

If you receive eight of any item, consider it a gesture of good will. Six is
considered a blessing for smoothness and problem free advances. One mobile
phone number with a string of eights, i.e., 138-8888-8888 was selling in one
city for 50,000 yuan (USD $7,000). Four is a taboo because in Mandarin,
Cantonese and some other folk dialects in China, the four has a similar
pronunciation to the word of death.

Colors: Avoid white color, which is symbolic of death, especially of parents,

and black, which symbolizes tragedy or death.

Gifts Giving

The most common items used as gifts in China are baskets of fruit, boxes of
candy and cookies, pastries, expensive tea, cartons of cigarettes, bottles of
decent wine or high-grade bi ji (the country's national alcoholic drink
distilled from sorghum), and health supplemental products, which is especially
appreciated by older people in China. Regional specialties are also considered
a very proper gift. If you are going to China, bring something American, as the
Chinese most appreciate souvenirs and products from you country or
organization.

During the Chinese New Year (AKA the Spring Festival), it is considered good
social form to present a red envelope (hng bo) with money to the child of
close friends, important acquaintances, and business associates. The amount
of money will vary depending on the status of the person and the closeness of

the relationship. Related, if invited to a wedding receptionusually held

several weeks or even months after the marriage is registereda red
envelope containing a minimum of 200 yuan per person or couple is
considered appropriate (or more depending on the nature of the relationship).
Particularly close friends may opt to present what is usually an expensive gift
(presented in an even number of items) in lieu of cash.

Gifts should be wrapped in bright festive colors such as red, pink and yellow.
Avoid black and white paper as these colors are associated with funerals or
death.
The following items are to be avoided as they are associated with death,
funerals or separate: clocks, pears, umbrella, handkerchiefs, knife, scissors or
anything sharp, chrysanthemum (the yellow one is the worst), anything in
white or black, and four of any item. In China, a man will never wear a green
hat, which implies the wearers wife is unfaithful. Therefore, promotional green
hats are a poor a choice for a conference gist (or corporate uniform).

The reason why is explained here :

http://www.illuminantpartners.com/2012/09/28/gifts-china-what-to-give-avoid-

infographic/

Gifts are generally not opened upon receiving. Always give a gift to everyone
present or don't give gifts at all. When invited to someone's home, always
bring a small gift for the hostess, such as brandy, chocolates or cakes.

Privacy and Personal Space:

Cited from (Please click for more information):
http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/social-etiquette-customs-china.htm

With more than 1.3 billion people in a land mass just smaller than that of the
continental United States, privacy and personal space in China are at a
premium. Consequently, the Chinese have a very different perspective on
what constitutes appropriate social distance between two people than
American do, and, in fact, there is no precise translation in Chinese for the
English word privacy. This concept simply doesn't exist in the same way for
most Chinese as it does for American.

Throughout your stay in China, you will often be asked numerous questions

that American consider to be very personal and even privileged information,

e.g., "What is your salary?", "How much did you earn in your hometown?",
"How old is your girlfriend?", when are you going to get married, and how
many kids do you want to have Related, you will commonly hear unsolicited
and often unflattering assessments about yourself such as "You are a little too
fat," "You look a little too old: you should shave off your beard" and "You
should dress more warmly: it's getting colder now." These types of ad
hominem commentaries are actually not intended to be insulting or
patronizing, but, rather, are proffered to indicate an interest in you as a person
and in your well-being.

Chinese value social harmony above all else, and believe that individual
expression and personal freedom should be subjugated to the needs of the
group as a whole. In public, they tend to exercise Quaker-like restraint in
regard to emotional expression, and do not see much merit in being direct or
confrontational. Consequently, they will avoid getting involved in anything that
isn't clearly their personal or family business. Related, while personal space
and property are highly valued and cared for, community space or public areas
including the streets and even the inside of apartment buildings, especially

the stairwellsare often filthy and typically strewn with debris.